What exactly is a stomach ulcer?
Gastric ulcers, commonly referred to as stomach ulcers, are painful sores on the stomach lining. Peptic ulcer disease includes stomach ulcers as one of its symptoms. Any ulcer that affects both the stomach and small intestines is referred to as a peptic ulcer.
When the thick coating of mucus that shields your stomach from digestive fluids is lessened, stomach ulcers develop. This makes it possible for the stomach's lining tissues to become eroded by digestive acids, leading to an ulcer.
Although stomach ulcers are usually treatable, if they are not treated properly, they can worsen.
Why do stomach ulcers develop?
One of the following factors almost invariably results in stomach ulcers:
usage of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) over an extended period of time, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen
In rare cases, the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, which causes the body to produce more acid, can result in stomach and intestine ulcers. Less than 1% of all peptic ulcers may be brought on by this syndrome.
gastrointestinal ulcer signs
Stomach ulcers are accompanied by several symptoms. The degree of the ulcer determines how severe the symptoms are.
The most typical symptom is a burning sensation or pain between your belly button and chest area. The pain can persist for a few minutes to many hours and is typically worst when your stomach is empty.
Other typical ulcer warning signs and symptoms include:
dull stomach pain weight loss unwillingness to eat due to discomfort
heartburn, which is a burning sensation in the chest, bloating, feeling easily full, burping, or acid reflux Pain that may get better when you eat, drink, or take antacids
Anemia can cause fatigue, shortness of breath, paler skin, and dark, tarry stools.
vomit that has blood in it or that resembles coffee grounds
If you experience any stomach ulcer symptoms, consult your doctor right away. Even though pain may only be minor, ulcers can get worse if left untreated. Ulcers that bleed can become seriously dangerous.
How are gastric ulcers identified?
The severity of your ulcer and your symptoms will determine your diagnosis and course of action. Your doctor will analyze your medical history, current symptoms, and any prescription or over-the-counter medications you're taking in order to make a stomach ulcer diagnosis.
A blood, stool, or breath test may be prescribed to rule out H. pylori infection. When taking a breathalyzer test, you'll be told to sip a clear liquid and blow into a bag that has been sealed. The breath sample will contain more carbon dioxide than usual if H. pylori is present.
The use of additional examinations and techniques to identify stomach ulcers includes
X-rays of your stomach and small intestine are made possible by the barium swallow, which involves drinking a thick, white liquid (barium) to coat your upper gastrointestinal system.
Endoscopy (EGD): Your mouth is used to put a tiny, lit tube into your stomach and the first portion of your small intestine. This examination is done to check for bleeding, ulcers, and any suspicious-looking tissue.
Endoscopic biopsy: A sample of stomach tissue is taken and sent for laboratory testing.
how to treat stomach ulcers
Depending on what caused your ulcer, your treatment options will differ. The majority of ulcers can be cured with a doctor's prescription, but in a small percentage of cases, surgery may be necessary.
It's critical to treat an ulcer right away. Consult your physician to go over a treatment strategy. If your ulcer is actively bleeding, you'll probably need to stay in the hospital for intensive endoscopic and IV ulcer medicine therapy. Additionally, you might need a blood transfusion.
Treatment without surgery
You will require antibiotics and medications known as proton pump inhibitors if H. pylori is the cause of your stomach ulcer. PPIs prevent stomach cells from producing acid.
Your doctor might suggest the following therapies in addition to these:
H2 receptor blockers
halting the use of all NSAIDs
probiotics for follow-up endoscopy
supplemental bismuth
The ulcer's symptoms may disappear fast with medical care. But even if your symptoms go away, you should keep taking any medication your doctor has prescribed. Making ensuring that all bacteria are removed is crucial in cases of H. pylori infections.
The following are possible side effects of drugs used to treat stomach ulcers:
nausea \dizziness \headaches
constipation abdominal discomfort
Most of the time, these side effects are transient. You should discuss changing your medicine with your doctor if any of these side effects cause severe discomfort.
Surgical intervention
Occasionally, a serious stomach ulcer will need to be surgically treated. The following ulcers may be affected by this:
return to continue
avoid healing
stomach bleeds violently.
prevent food from exiting the stomach and entering the small intestine
Surgery may consist of:
The entire ulcer is removed
Patching the ulcer location using tissue from another area of the intestines and stopping any bleeding from an artery
cutting off the stomach's nerve supply to lower the amount of stomach acid produced
Nutritious diet
Ulcers were once thought to be brought on by food. This is untrue, as we now know. Furthermore, while the foods you eat won't create or treat a stomach ulcer, consuming a healthy diet might be advantageous for your intestinal tract and general health.
Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and fiber is generally a good idea.
Having said that, it's probable that some meals aid in the destruction of H. pylori. Foods that may aid in the elimination of H. pylori or the growth of the body's own beneficial bacteria include:
cabbage, radishes, cauliflower, broccoli, and
leafy greens like kale and spinach
foods high in probiotics, such as yogurt, kombucha, miso, and sauerkraut (especially with lactobacillus and Saccharomyces)
apples
Raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries
olive juice
Additionally, it is a good idea to avoid hot and sour meals while an ulcer is healing as persons with stomach ulcers may also have associated acid reflux illness.
Natural treatments for stomach ulcers
The following items, in addition to eating healthy foods, may help lessen the symptoms of H. pylori, the bacteria that causes many stomach ulcers. These dietary supplements are not meant to take the place of your current treatment plan or prescription medicine, though. They consist of:
probiotics, glutamine, and honey (food sources include chicken, fish, eggs, spinach, and cabbage)
Additionally, your doctor can make recommendations for activities you can do at home to ease ulcer pain. Think about discussing these home cures for ulcers with your doctor.
When ought one to call or visit a physician?
Call your doctor if you believe you have a stomach ulcer. You can talk about your symptoms and available treatments with one another. You can use the Healthline Find Care feature to discover a nearby provider if you don't currently have a doctor.
It's crucial to treat stomach ulcers because they and H. pylori can lead to the following conditions if left untreated:
When an ulcer penetrates the digestive tract's wall and enters another organ, such as the pancreas, there may be life-threatening bleeding at the ulcer site.
Perforation, which happens when the ulcer breaks through the digestive tract's wall, obstruction (blockage), which results from the swelling of inflammatory tissues, and
stomach cancer, specifically gastric cancer that is not cardiac
Reliable Source
The following are some signs of these problems. Call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms:
weakness difficulty breathing crimson or black stools or vomit abrupt, intense abdominal pain that won't go away
Avoiding stomach ulcers
Regularly wash your hands with soap and water to stop the transmission of germs that could lead to a stomach ulcer. Additionally, make sure to carefully clean all of your food and cook it as necessary.
Stop using these drugs (if it's possible) or take them less frequently to avoid ulcers brought on by NSAIDs. If you must take NSAIDs, make careful to take them as directed and refrain from drinking alcohol while doing so. And always consume meals and enough beverages when using these meds.
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